Contraceptives

But first- it’s all about profits right?

It’s what women want and it’s becoming more and more what men want too- another method of male birth control and preferably one that does not involve hormones. This method must be affordable by the majority, highly effective, convenient, reversible and free from side effects.

Enormous strides have been made in medical research and more than one solution is well within our abilities right now yet it becomes a tall order when we all know that whatever gets over the finishing line first will only do so if it makes millions for the manufacturer.  Ah, there’s the rub. What profiteth a company to gain huge benefits for its consumers yet suffer great losses from its own coffers? Unless governments step in or non profit agencies come to the contraception party, future R & D for many potentially successful new male birth control methods could drop off the vine.  Let’s face it, a long acting, low cost male birth control method would reduce profits and risk the loss of profits from women’s birth control methods too.

So which non hormonal method of male birth control is the ‘favourite’ to make it over the finishing line?

Move over male hormone injection and remote controlled valve (described in previous posts) hello RISUG, which stands for “Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance”. This RISUG method of male birth control involves the injection of a polymer gel into the vas deferens (tube that carries sperm) No cutting is needed and there are no hormones in the gel. The gel coats the inner walls of the vas deferens, solidifies in minutes and kills unsuspecting passing sperm, thereby making this method of male birth control effective almost at once (unlike a vasectomy that can take up to 3 months). The gel also partially blocks the tube but if months or years later fertility needs to be restored, another injection flushes it out, making this method also easily and quickly reversible.

How long will the contraceptive effect last?

A standard dose will be effective for up to 7years. The reversal procedure can be performed at any time- even within days after the injection. Any ‘minority’ sperm that make it through the vas deferens will be too sluggish to reach and fertilise an egg!This RISUG method has been on trial in men (India) for over a decade now and while this method of male birth control looks likely to be the ‘favourite’ so far, much still remains to be done to pass all the regulations for US and European approval- and of course secure funds for further development.

How many methods of male birth control have emerged over the years?

You may be suprised to learn that there are at least 8! Vasectomy, condom, injection, remote controlled valve for vas deferens and RISUG are 5 of them but others include the IVD (shug), ultrasound and heat method (the mind boggles). Withdrawal does not count as it has a high failure rate of 27%!

FRONTIERS IN NONHORMONAL MALE CONTRACEPTION is easy to read and has further information on all 8 methods of male birth control. Enjoy!

Is it a pill, is it a plug, is it an injection?

Which new type of male contraceptive looks like becoming a ‘goer’ within a few years?   The latest trials being done in Sydney, of a testosterone and projestin injection for men, may result in more than a few female heroines expecting their male heroes to rescue them from hormonal hassle when it comes to taking responsibility for birth control.

The trials, conducted by the ANZAC Research Institute in Australia, hope to prove the twice monthly injection 95% effective as a method of male birth control- with full impregnating ability restored 3 months after stopping the injections. The funding for the trials has come from an American reproductive health and HIV prevention agency (CONRAD) that has been working on this for more than 15 years.  Once this second phase of testing is successfully completed it will further strengthen CONRAD’s ‘proof of principle study’, published in 2003, which revived interest from major multinational pharmaceutical companies in developing a reversible, effective, male hormonal contraceptive for the market.

How does it work?

I’m still trying to find out exactly what quantities of hormones make up each shot, hopefully the doses will be as low as they are in the low dose birth control pills for women. Basically though, the hormonal mix of testosterone and progestin tricks the male brain into believing that sufficient sperm has already been produced. Since sperm is the vital male ingredient needed to make babies- voila! Ovulate without fear girls or will it be asking TOO much of us to believe him when he says he’s infertile?

What about STIs?

Will it trick the STI villains from wreaking havoc on both of you? ‘Fraid not, you’ll both need to keep up the condom supply and get regular checks.

I can hear you chanting ’side effects, what about the side effects?’ - this new male method of birth control will banish yours, yeay but what about his?  It’s good news apparently. After some of us have coped with bloating, mood swings,  loss of sex drive and risk of blood clots throughout our birth control trials, it seems, according to lead researcher, Rob McLachlan, this shot of hormones into the male metabolism shouldn’t change his sex life at all because the “level of testosterone in the blood remains the same.” Not sure I fully understand that one if you ‘re adding more testosterone to what’s already there but as to other possible side effects well, we really will have to wait and see, I’ve heard that acne may be one of the nasties for some men.   True heroes won’t let a little moodiness, bloating or risk of blood clotting put them off though will they?

If you’re relishing the day when the only contraceptive side effect you’ll have to worry about is RSI from rolling on a condom, then maybe it’s not a bad thing to have a few ‘deep and meaningfuls’ about both your birth control ‘careers’? Be kind and understanding though, if the day comes when he mumbles, “Not tonight sweetie- I have a headache”.

Which NEW non hormonal contraceptive for men  might just beat the ’shot’ over the line? Find out in my next post.

Despite the ill winds blowing throughout the global economy at present, lots of fresh breezes have at last rustled things up for the better on the birth control front in America.

So what’s been happening on the birth control front in the last few months?

Major changes in the US -  thanks to the new president.

Read Obama’s top 10 women’s health achievements, a real tonic,  HERE .

also:

• affordable low dose birth control is now available to college students and women on low incomes
• the FDA has approved the over the counter sale of the emergency contraceptive,  Plan B, for 17 year olds - quite rightly, it won’t be as easy as picking up a packet of aspirin though, the pharmacist will verify age prior to dispensing and also monitor the number of prescriptions filled. The pharmacist should also check for any allergies to the non medicinal ingredients in the product
• in some US states, more women are seeking permanent methods of birth control
• the ongoing recession has cost millions of people their jobs. Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics are seeing more and more people in their waiting rooms. Generally these clinics serve young women between 18 and 24 but now older clients and many without insurance are coming in(CCMC Push journal)
•  the FDA has approved the FC2- a cheaper and improved version of the female condom that is made from synthetic rubber instead of polyurethane
• a small study out of Pittsburgh (only 70 women) may encourage further research into the effects of low dose birth control pills on suppressing the release of anabolic hormones which help build lean muscle mass
• scientists revive dormant gene to prevent HIV transmission

SO….Plan B is now accessible to 17 year olds without a prescription. 17 year olds are, in my opinion, quite capable of taking responsibility for managing their own birth control AND emergency contraception - with support.
If you are 17 years old or younger and sexually active please read on:

• Plan B is for emergency contraception ONLY and should not be used by anybody, regardless of age, as a regular form of birth control

• decide on a long term birth control plan for your own ‘contraception career’, this may mean trialling a few low dose birth control pills until you find one that suits your metabolism or exploring the option of an implant, injection or IUD

•  be brave enough to have intelligent conversations with your parents about birth control if they give you the chance-  if not, take advantage of the ongoing advice, counselling and resources available to you through Family Planning clinics or a health expert you feel comfortable with

• ‘walk in’ and get tested for STDs so you and your friends can brag about being ‘clean’

• have fun with the new female condom if he won’t use his

Plan B does not prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV/AIDS but it is effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 (3 days) hours of unprotected intercourse and certainly within 120 hours (5 days).
Plan B does not contain estrogen and is not a low dose contraceptive - each pill contains 0.75mg of the progestin hormone, levonorgestrel. Two pills need to be taken, each can be taken 12 hours apart or at the same time. Plan B will not interfere with an established pregnancy- it works by preventing ovulation or fertilisation. In medical terms, pregnancy begins when a fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus.

I don’t relish advocating medication, synthetic hormones, artificial colouring, preservatives and all the other stuff that is foreign to our bodies but when it comes to assisting young people  through their sexual journey in safety, ie. without catching an STD and without getting pregnant until they are ready,  I believe a ‘duty of care’ must balance the pros and cons. Young people need all the help they can get to access appropriate birth control and to learn to use this synthetic hormone (Plan B) responsibly.

For further information on Plan B visit this earlier post.

Sincere apologies for my absence since Christmas.  Family issues both here and overseas had to take priority but hopefully I shall be able to keep you up to date with low dose birth control information at least one or twice a month from now on and I hope you all enjoyed Valentine’s Day without any ‘unwanted’ follow ups.

 Next post-  update on male contraception methods

Yesterday I told you about the newest version of the female condom, the FC2, under review by the FDA advisory panel for marketing in the US.  The good news is confirmed that this potentially less costly method of birth control received unanimous backing-  the FC2 is still highly effective in preventing pregnancy AND STIs.

The lower price (30%?) should also make this new female condom more attractive to women which means that we females can have peace of mind and even more choice regarding how we manage our ‘contraception career’.
“I find it empowering to be able to take charge and put on the female condom myself,” says Linda Arnade, a health worker in Chicago who has used FC for three years. “I like being able to put it in several hours before sex, and the fact that the material feels stronger than latex. I once had a male condom break, but that’s never happened to me with the female condom.” Manufacturer studies show 50 to 70 percent of users find the device acceptable once they have experience using it.

The cost of producing this newer version can be reduced because the new material (synthetic rubber)  allows a method to be used that is similar to the one for producing male condoms. Cost estimates range from $1.40 to $2.10 for consumers and about half that for health care organizations that distribute it.

Safe if you have an allergy to latex- the synthetic rubber is ‘user friendly’.

Most other countries have already adopted FC2 - this recent FDA approval also enables the new female condom to be sold in more countries overseas, as the U.S. Agency for International Development needs FDA approval before it can buy the cheaper version
“Female condoms are the only woman-controlled method of safer sex, and we also know what the birth control pill did for women: it allowed them an unprecedented control over their reproductive status,” said American Social Health Association Vice President Deborah Arrindell.
Mary Ann Leeper, an adviser and former president of Female Health Co said ” Even with approval, it will take time for the company to relaunch it for U.S. consumers. The company is looking for a marketing partner to help distribute it more widely.“  Health advocates say that if the government moves quickly in recommending FC2 approval, the new condom could be on U.S. pharmacy shelves--and in the hands of aid organizations that distribute it worldwide–some time in 2009.  Let’s hope they DO pass on the production savings.

Sources: Women’s eNews-Author: Molly M. Ginty

OK, so you feel a bit squeamish about even trying a female condom, called a femidom but your low dose birth control pill is not ‘cool’ when it comes to protecting you from an STI.   Expect your partner to wear a condom?  Excellent-  but it could be fun finding out if you both enjoy a ‘change’ and he is sure to be impressed that you’ve even considered something a bit different.  All part of the sexual learning curve AND combined with your low dose birth control pill, it puts YOU in the total birth control seat.
If you are happy with your low dose birth control regime, having backup, barrier protection of some kind as well is the smart thing to do.  A downside to Femidoms is that they cost more (between $2.80 and $4) than  male condoms, which come in a variety of brands and cost between 50 cents and $2 a piece. If approval is given to market the new version , the FC2 should be potentially less expensive and more durable than the current female condoms on the shelves.
Current female condoms are made of polyurethane whereas this new kind, the FC2 Female Condom, made by Female Health Co, is made of NITRILE - a form of synthetic rubber similar to male condoms. FC2 is being reviewed by an FDA advisory panel this week for its cpacity to prevent pregnancy aswell as HIV and STIs.
The new female condom is exactly the same design and is used in the same way as the current female condom which is made of polyurethane. Both versions are comprised of a sheath with a closed ring on one end that is inserted near the cervix and an open ring on the outer end that stays outside the woman’s body. Male condoms are far more widely used than their female counterpart, although you could argue that the female condom has the advantage of providing greater protection by covering part of a woman’s outer genitals. Go HERE for dias. on how to fit a female condom.
I hesitate to mention another ‘off putting’ aspect of using a femidom that rumour has it some gals complain about and that’s the rustling sound during sex, bit like putting it in a plastic bag, eh?  Well, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it at least once, if only for a giggle- sex is fun remember?   Barbara Hastings -Asatourian of Contraception Eduction Ltd. in the UK  has been working in the sexual health arena for decades and demonstrates the femidom often- here’s what she told me in an email the other day about the noise issue: “My experience of the legendary “rustle” is that it doesn’t! Female condoms have so much lube on them there’s no noise at all. The dry ones I use in demonstrations make a very little noise, and that might be where this off putting piece of folk lore came from. If there is the slightest noise to hear from a female condom one would have to have ears very close one’s vagina, and be paying a dysproportionate level of attention to it! The other noises around sex tend to be louder and more interesting, and a lot more real! Remember there may be extra pleasure to be had from positioning the female condom’s outer ring on or near the clitoris. Now that has to be worth trying….”
Many other countries, especially Africa,  have already adopted the new female condom to prevent the spread of the HIV virus but the FDA needs to sanction the product before it can be sold in the US. Watch this space folks!  Best prices for female condoms can be found at this site - just type  “female condom” into the search box. I’ll let you know when I find a site that sells the new version too.
Tomorrow I’ll let you know the decision of the FDA advisory Panel.

If you’re a bit cash strapped and could use some free birth control for 3 months AND you live with cooee of BEVERLEY read on….otherwise you can skip today’s post.

With the economy spiraling downward, one nonprofit wants to make sure someone doesn’t accidentally have another mouth to feed.

As an incentive not to skimp on protection, new patients who sign up before Dec. 30 will receive three free months of birth control. Existing patients can get the deal if they recommend a friend.

Health Quarters is a state and federally funded nonprofit that provides gynecological exams, health education and prevention services such as birth control and emergency contraception, cervical and breast cancer screening, STD testing and treatment, and rapid HIV and pregnancy testing and counseling.

Health Quarters is at 19 Broadway, Beverly. For more information, call 978-922-4490.

Read full copy HERE

New Low Dose Birth Control Pill For 2009

If you’re the sort of girl who likes to review her ‘contraception career’ regularly, you may like to know that a new low dose birth control pill will be coming onto the market in the first few months of next year with benefits that you may welcome. This new low dose birth control pill will be called LoSeasonique and has just been approved by ‘big brother’- the FDA.

If you already use a low dose birth control pill you may be familiar with those brands that reduce the number of withdrawal periods you have, such as Seasonale, Seasonique and Lybrel. These particular low dose birth control pills are termed ‘extended cycle’ or continuous, birth control pills which are 98%-99% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken as directed. Seasonique and Seasonale have been available for some time now, giving four ‘periods’ a year while Lybrel allows no periods at all.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to know how thorough the trials have been on this low dose birth control pill before rushing off for a prescription. Over a 12 month period, over 2,100 female subjects between the ages of 18 and 41 at 56 sites throughout the United States participated in the trial and completed an equivalent of nearly 21,000 28-day cycles of exposure.

LoSeasonique is a low - dose version of Seasonique and, like Seasonique, reduces the number of ‘periods’ you will get from 13 to 4 per year. Yep, it saves on the cost of pain relief and tampons too.

OK. So what’s in this new low dose birth control pill?

LoSeasonique is a combination (progestin + estrogen) birth control pill.
Each pill contains 0.10 mg levonorgestrel and 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol (synthetic estrogen) Seasonique contains 0.15mg levonorgestrel and 0.03mg ethinyl estradiol.
Other low dose pills such as Alesse, Mircette and LoOvral contain the same amount of estrogen as LoSeasonique (0.02mg) but with these you will have 13 periods a year.
How do I take it?
LoSeasonique should be taken daily for 84 consecutive days, followed by the 0.01 mg ethinyl estradiol tablets for seven days.

Benefits of the new low dose birth control pill

• you know when to expect your period
• your periods will be light, shorter and less frequent (4 per year)
• you should get relief from PMS and acne
• your risk of ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, benign breast cysts or lumps and ovarian and endometrial cancer will be reduced

Are there any side effects or disadvantages?
Don’t expect any BUT this new low dose birth control pill is likely to affect some women in similar ways to other low dose birth control pills. I’m afraid it’s individual trial every time girls. However, doctors are unlikely to prescribe this new low dose birth pill for you if you smoke, are over 35 years of age or have health problems such as blood clots, breast, uterine, or liver cancers or serious heart problems.

Warning: Please use your own discretion when using any low dose birth control pill. Seasnoque of these brands of low dose birth control pills mentioned above have been used long enough for anyone to say for certain if there any long term negative side effects.

This IS about birth control even though it may not look like it! Read on.

On Wednesday, NBC will be premiering its new reality TV show, The Baby Borrowers. Will you be watching or will you dismiss it in favour of Big Brother? Grab a friend, preferably your partner and watch. The series is a social experiment showing how teenage couples , ages 18-20 will, over the course of three weeks, experience what it is like to have to cope with all aspects of an instant family, babies and all. The teenagers will have to set up a home, get a job and becoming caring and attentive parents - first to babies, toddlers, pre-teens and their pets, teenagers and, finally, senior citizens. Has this anything to do with contraceptives and birth control? YOU BETCHA! With 3 decades of ‘family planning’ ahead of every fertile female, take note of how reality will bite if you DON’T plan when to have your children ( I am in awe of those wonderfully stoic women/foster parents who adore their 6 kids and are perfect mums!)

Okay, okay , as a mother of two, I admit that in ‘real time’ all of the above does not happen within 3 weeks but the bottom line is - it DOES happen once that little bundle of joy appears on the scene. You DO have to deal with the demanding nitty gritty of child rearing and the relentless ‘daily routine’ once that first flush of partner passion has subsided (note I did not say romance or love here) Unless you are a member of the Royal family or have film star status, once you give birth you jolly well don’t get a ‘life’ rewind button or your own ‘live- in’ little Lem Sip men to take over the baby care or bail you out of ‘debt damage’ when you can’t make ends meet. Don’t get me wrong- in my opinion, having children is one of the best things I ever did and one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had and though I could NOT have afforded more than 2, I think I could have reared a couple more. Bringing up kids when you are ‘ready’ and when you have the TIME to nurture and teach them properly will make life a whole lot easier for you and everyone else.

SO…. be prepared, be safe, watch the show and let me know what you think!

Women’s contraceptive pills use chemical signals in our bodies to block ovulation so how are things going with the development of a male contraceptive to block sperm production, will it be in the form of a pair of sperm suppressing knickers, (now they really would be magic!) an implant, injection or a contraceptive pill?

It looks like it’s going to be a while yet before further options are added to what is currently a very short list of options for male contraceptives ( condoms and vasectomy) but the GOOD NEWS is that male hormonal birth control methods appear to have lower risks of side effects than female methods.  Oh, I do hope so for the sake of those little lab mice!  Read this latest news article about how men can be turned on and off, literally, in the reproductive basement.

A man’s pituitary gland produces the chemicals that signal sperm and testosterone production to commence in the testes. Men do not produce female progestin so a male hormonal contraceptive would have to consist of testosterone, along with the female hormone progestin. Once in the bloodstream, these hormones would tell the pituitary that the testes already had done their job, so the pituitary would not produce the signals.

Switching off the signal is likened to a thermostat switching off an air conditioner according to Ronald Swerdloff, head of the endocrinology department at the University of California, Los Angeles, Harbor Medical Center. You may be surprised to read in this article that in one survey of 9,000 men, more than half said they would use male birth control. They have never struggled and sweated themselves into a pair of magic knickers though have they girls, so it’s my bet that the pill will get the vote!

You’re probably wondering, ‘What on earth can a cup of cottage cheese have to do with me taking oral contraceptives? If moodiness is a side effect you suffer from- you need to read this. Personally, I am not a pill popper and much prefer to use ‘natural’ products whenever possible, including good quality, non synthetic supplements that have not been tested on animals. At the end of this post I have provided some links to an on line, direct supplier for this type of supplement, this source also has natural skin care products, shampoos, weight loss products and yes, even a ‘natural libido booster’ if life is a little ‘quiet’ for you right now!

Did your doctor tell you that oral contraceptives can increase your hunger (so you eat more and gain weight!) and also that they can deplete your body of certain essential nutrients? As though refined foods and sugary treats weren’t enough!

Have you been taking an oral contraceptive for more than 7 years? If so, it is likely that you are deficient in some nutrients and should be taking a supplement. Research has shown that the B group of vitamins are the most commonly depleted nutrients when taking oral contraceptives. Vitamin B is critical to keeping your nerves healthy (hence they are often sold as executive ’stress’ vitamins)

A high-potency, B-complex vitamin (with at least 50 -100mg of B6, 1,000 meg of B12, and 800 meg of folate) should be taken alongside contraceptive pills. An increased need for vitamins C (1-3g, yes, not mg), E,(400-600 IU’s) and K may also result from the use of birth control pills- Vit C especially can help to reduce the chance of vaginal infections.

Cells that are replaced frequently, like those in the mouth and gut can become ulcerated if folate is depleted.
Folic acid is a relative of Vit B and is important for brain health as well as cell repair and development.

You may never have heard of Tyrosine but you’ve probably heard of amino acids. Tyrosine is an amino acid which has many ‘jobs’ in your body but one is to keep your thyroid healthy. Low tyrosine can also contribute to depression. Depletion of tyrosine is one of the reasons ‘the pill’ is often associated with weight gain and moodiness. AH! Is that a penny dropping? OK , next time you pop out to collect your prescription for Alesse or other oral contraceptive pill, grab a tub of cottage cheese from the supermarket as this is the highest food source of tyrosine: 1 cup provides 1.5 g. (or you can take a supplement -1.5 g daily), particularly during the second half of your menstrual cycle.

It is likely that we are all slightly short of magnesium anyway so women who take oral contraceptives can become even more depleted. deficiency often shows itself as muscle cramps, weakness, insomnia, kidney stones, bone loss, depression, nervousness, anxiety and high blood pressure. Take 500 mg at bedtime in a liquid or powdered form for easy absorption.

Copper levels in the blood may be increased by the use of oral contraceptives which can lead to depression and
emotional problems. Limit supplement to 1mg. Whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables will ensure that copper requirements are met.

If you normally take an iron supplement you may not need it if you take oral contraceptives. Iron levels may increase when you are on the pill as there is often less blood loss. Iron needs are probably reduced from the usual 18 mg. to around 12-15 mg per day. However, if your periods are heavy or you have anemia then you may need a different dose of iron. Check with your doctor first.

Zinc is another essential mineral depleted by oral contraceptives and is important for wound healing and combatting depression; supplement with 20 to 50 mg daily, which will also help to reduce copper levels.
“As if I don’t have enough side effects to worry about!”- well, at least a quick blood test will show you exactly where you stand with your body’s nutrients and you never know- that tub of cottage cheese may be just the thing to banish those monthly moods!

Source: Nutrition and Vitamin Therapy, Michael Lesser, M.D

Elson M. Haas M.D. Staying Healthy with Nutrition
Better Nutrition

Here are the links to the natural products I mentioned. Be kind to your body, be kind to earth, Vegetarian, chemical free, addictive free and All Natural- what more could you want?

Multi Vitamin Supplements
Get nature’s wholesome goodness of whole food ingredients with a combination of powerful nutrients, with Life Multi Complete a multivitamin and mineral combination.

Natural Skin Care products

Libido Booster